Gimme Some Sugar

Blog Roll

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Gov. Scott Walker did almost no official work in the days leading up to the Nov. 6 election, according to new information released to Wisconsin Reporter — meaning the governor essentially has taken off at least two months this year, not including weekends.

On Nov. 30, a Wisconsin Reporter analysis indicated Walker had taken 54 personal days through the end of October, with “personal day” defined as any day in which the governor spent fewer than 90 minutes on official business.

The governor’s early-November calendar, released since that report, indicates the governor also took off Nov. 1-6, with the exception of three conference calls — two with his staff and one with State Superintendent Tony Evers.

Walker responded to the report last week, saying the time off didn’t affect his job as governor, according to Madison’s WKOW-TV station.

Frankly, I’d be happier if he never showed up for work, because his record has been unrelentingly bad. Better no governor than this governor.

But this seems to be a habit for Walker and it’s one that may yet cost him dearly. The ongoing John Doe investigation into his time as Milwaukee County Executive is focused mainly on illegal campaigning using the county’s resources, rather than his campaign’s. Now it turns out that Walker’s blown two months of his gubernatorial term on near-nonstop campaigning, while drawing a state paycheck. While the latter’s not illegal, the similarities are too obvious not to notice.